EA Isolink-IRMS测定氮同位素方法:单/双炉模式对比及测试精度评价

Nitrogen Isotope Determination Method Using EA Isolink-IRMS: Comparison of Single/Double Furnace Modes and Evaluation of Measurement Accuracy

  • 摘要: 利用元素分析-同位素质谱(EA-IRMS)结合高温燃烧法(CM)测定固体样品中的氮同位素,对于科学探究全球氮循环具有重要作用。然而,相对于碳同位素的测定,氮同位素比值的测定精度通常较低。本研究对比了EA Isolink-IRMS系统在不同反应管模式和参数条件下氮同位素的测试精度,从燃烧条件、不同反应管配置、洗脱干扰气体等方面对反应条件和参数进行优化,并通过测定一系列标准物质和不同氮含量的海洋沉积物,进一步优化测定氮同位素的方法。不同的反应管配置方式、样品燃烧状态和填料消耗情况对氮同位素比值测定具有显著影响。精确的氮同位素分析需确保样品充分燃烧、氮氧化物充分还原,并去除洗脱气流中的CO2和可能存在的杂质气体。研究结果表明:1)根据样品类型不同,采用快速的注氧方式和合适的注氧量,可以确保样品的充分燃烧。2)在目前单反应管配置的基础上增加小容积还原管,可有效确保氮氧化物的充分还原和过量氧气的吸收。采用优化的参数条件,单独测氮模式下氮同位素的测试精度优于0.10‰。本方法具有良好的精密度和准确性,可为精确测定样品中氮同位素组成提供参考,对提高相关测试精度具有重要意义。

     

    Abstract: Determination of nitrogen isotopes in natural samples plays an important role in scientific exploration of the global nitrogen cycle. However, compared with carbon isotope measurement, the accuracy of nitrogen isotope ratio determination is generally lower when using the high-temperature combustion method (CM) based on an elemental analyzer coupled with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (EA-IRMS). This study optimized the reaction conditions and parameters in terms of combustion conditions, different reaction tube configurations, and interfering gases in the elution gas flow. The accuracy of nitrogen isotope testing in the EA Isolink-IRMS system was compared under different reaction tube configuration (single and double modes) and oxygen injection parameter conditions. By measuring a series of standard substances and marine sediments with varying nitrogen contents, the method for nitrogen isotope measurement was further optimized. The results showed that different reaction tube configurations, sample combustion states, and filler consumption in EA-IRMS have significant impacts on the determination of nitrogen isotope ratios. Accurate nitrogen isotope analysis requires ensuring sufficient sample combustion in EA, sufficient reduction of nitrogen oxides, and removal of CO2 and potential impurity gases from the gas stream. For the determination of nitrogen isotopes using the EA Isolink-IRMS system, this study showed that: 1) Depending on the sample type, the appropriate oxygen injection amount should be selected by rapid oxygen injection to ensure sufficient sample combustion. For small-sized samples with high nitrogen content (e.g., plants, animal tissues, and pure chemical substances), an oxygen flow rate of 175 mL/min and injection duration time of 3 s should be used. For large-sized samples (e.g., marine sediments with low nitrogen content), the oxygen flow rate of 250 mL/min and the injection duration time of 5 s were recommended. 2) Based on the current single tube configuration, adding a reduction tube with smaller volume can effectively ensure the full reduction of nitrogen oxides and absorption of excess oxygen. When using the optimized method for nitrogen isotope measurement, a signal intensity of approximately 50 mV can be generated for every 1 μg of N in the sample. The standard deviations of the measured δ15N values of reference materials (USGS40, USGS65 and USGS64) across different batches are better than ±0.15‰. For marine sediment samples, the measurement accuracy of nitrogen isotopes can be better than 0.10‰ in a batch. The stability, reproducibility, and accuracy of the measurements can be greatly improved. This method provides crucial technical support for the determination of nitrogen isotope ratios.

     

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